Pacific Power Completes Restoration to All Roseburg Customers After Extensive Winter Storm

Pacific Power Completes Restoration to All Roseburg Customers After Extensive Winter Storm

March 07, 2019

ROSEBURG, Ore. — Service was restored Tuesday evening to the remaining Pacific Power customers impacted by winter storms the previous week. Crews accessed and repaired the last few damaged power lines in remote areas outside of Roseburg after what is being called a historic winter event.

Beginning on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 24, a series of winter storms dumped record amounts of snow along the I-5 corridor from Eugene to Grants Pass. The heavy snow toppled trees and damaged power lines and equipment, which left over 42,000 Pacific Power customers without electricity.

Felled trees and deep snow shutdown sections of the interstate and made many roads impassable, impeding crew’s ability to assess the extensive damage. The hardest hit communities served by Pacific Power include Lebanon, Junction City, Cottage Grove, Roseburg, Grants Pass and Medford.

“This is the type of monumental task that our personnel are trained and ready for,” said David Lucas, vice president of operations. “Pacific Power resources and crews were called in from Astoria, Portland, Hood River, Pendleton, Bend, Albany, Lincoln City, Coos Bay, Grants Pass, Medford, Walla Walla, WA and Yreka, CA to support the Roseburg restoration effort. After clearing downed trees and plowing some roads, crews were able to get in and assess the damage, assign crews, make repairs and restore power to thousands of customers across a wide range of our service area. It took time because some of the affected lines are located deep in forested and rugged terrain. We’re thankful that our customers understood the work we had ahead of us and for all of their support during our restoration effort.”

At the peak of restoration work, approximately 350 Pacific Power crew members and contractors worked around the clock to restore power in and around Roseburg.

“As we finish clean-up work and release crews, we’ve been in close contact with Douglas Electric letting them know that additional crews and resources are available to assist with their restoration work,” said Sam Carter, regional business manager. “We’re one big community in Douglas County and this event has proven that working together gets us the best results. The entire Pacific Power team are so appreciative of the understanding, patience and support everyone has shown us through all of this.”

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